For Immediate Release

Missouri S&T Goes to Russia

Representatives from the Russian Federation Seek Guidance from Missouri S&T¿s Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development

ROLLA, Mo. -- In late 2015, the Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development (TTED) at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) met with representatives from American Councils for International Education based in Washington, D.C. and the National Research University of Electronic Technology (MIET) located in Zelenograd, Russia to provide guidance to Russia’s nascent technology transfer industry and explore collaboration opportunities with Russian institutions. The decision to hold the meeting was made after TTED staff participated in a technology transfer panel discussion in Russia.

Vera Anderson, a senior licensing and business development specialist with TTED, flew to her native Russia in September 2015 to speak at a conference on intellectual property and innovation practices hosted by Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, formerly known as Kalinin Polytechnic Institute. Anderson spoke on a panel alongside representatives from the University of Missouri System. During her time at the conference, Anderson met with Vlad Likholetov, director of the International Technology Commercialization Institute at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and Adrian Erlinger, program manager with American Councils, to discuss the technology transfer and economic development practices of Missouri S&T and the University of Missouri System. “Russia is in a rapidly developing stage of understanding, formalizing, and structuring its technology transfer industry,” says Anderson.

As a result of their discussions, Anderson, Likholetov, and Erlinger decided to add Missouri S&T to the itinerary for a planned visit to the United States by representatives from MIET and American Councils because of TTED’s innovative technology commercialization and business counseling practices, as well as similarities between Missouri S&T and several Russian institutions.

On December 17, 2015, TTED welcomed Erlinger and a delegation from Russia that included Sergey Gavrilov, vice-rector for research at MIET; Dmitry Rygalin, director of the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization at MIET; Aleksandr Bakhtin, chair of the Telecommunication Systems department at MIET; Anatoly Kovalev, general director at Zelenograd Nanotechnology Center; Alexey Shklyaev, general director at Decima LLC; and Aleksandr Larchikov, general director at Green Energy LLC.

The meeting was held at the Technology Development Center at Innovation Park on the campus of Missouri S&T. The day began enthusiastically, with introductions from Anderson, Likholetov, and Erlinger. John Eash, executive director of corporate relations at Missouri S&T discussed the functions and best practices of the corporate relations department. Keith Strassner, director of TTED, gave an overview of technology transfer and economic development at Missouri S&T. Later, Sergei Gavrilov, vice rector for research at MIET, gave a talk about bridging the gap between researchers and individuals able to commercialize such research. Participants then engaged in a group discussion regarding commercialization and business development. John Woodson, senior licensing and business development specialist with TTED, and Dr. Sajal Das, chair of the Computer Science Department at Missouri S&T, gave a presentation about NSF I-Corps (Innovation Corps), a set of programs “that prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the laboratory,” according to the NSF website. Afterwards, a light lunch was served and participants enjoyed the opportunity to network.

After lunch, senior administrators from Missouri S&T met with the group. Dr. Warren K. Wray,Missouri S&T’s Vice Chancellor for Global and Strategic Partnerships, introduced the participants to further collaborative opportunities. Dr. K. Krishnamurthy, then Missouri S&T’s Vice Provost for Research, spoke about the various research centers at Missouri S&T, which led to a roundtable discussion. Participants then enjoyed more networking before the delegation departed for Columbia, Missouri.

“While this is just a first step in the collaboration, we are excited and look forward to strengthening the partnership and sharing our experiences in successfully commercializing University technologies,” says Strassner. “The opportunity to leverage the resources of both countries can only lead to positive outcomes.” The group plans to further explore other ideas for collaboration including development of courses to help new startup businesses and further visits both to and from Russia.